Chapter Text
Once upon a time, when the world was still young, and mighty beasts ruled over it, in the land that now towers the glorious kingdom of Ver, there was one amongst them that shone as bright as the sun itself. It was a lion by the name of Deimos. His mane covered the sky when he shook it, and quakes rose from his steps. He ruled over all with fear and an iron fist. All who dared oppose him were never seen again. But he too lived in fear. It was known that the night would come for Deimos, that a cub will dethrone him, when his prime was afoot. So, the lion ordered that a tower be made, as tall as the sky itself, and he retreated there with his riches, where his doors were built over, with only a barred window left, so he could still speak to his subjects. Eventually, he was so overcome by fear, that he fell into a deep slumber, hoping it would prevent his prime. Years went by, and the beasts slowly believed the lion had died.
One day, young wolf by the name of Phobetor, known to be fearless amongst his peers, decided to tear down the tower walls, hoping to claim some of the old lion’s riches to sustain his family. But when he wandered into the tower through the small opening he managed to make for himself, he was overcome by fear. There, in front of him, lay the sleeping lion. Phobetor was no coward, and decided he would not become one that day. He quietly snuck around the lion, and towards a large chest at his opposing wall. In it, he found jewels and golden coins. Thrilled, he collected as many as he could, and fled the scene. He returned home and boasted about his feat to anyone he could, proud that he faced the lion and lived to tell the tale.
A few days later, one of the lion’s guards who heard the story, rushed to Deimos’ tower. He woke the lion and told him of what he heard. Deimos was furious, demanding the thief be brought to him, so he could decide his punishment. And so it happened. Phobetor was captured and brought to the king, who sentenced the wolf to death. They threw him in the tower after they emptied it, and built over every entrance, leaving only the window, so the wolf would live long enough to die of starvation.
Phobetor was infuriated by this fate, thought of it as humiliating. So, he tore down the tower’s walls, and rushed to Deimos with murderous intent. The lion, who was asleep for so long, had little strength to fight, for his muscles were weak and his mind foggy. Naturally, the wolf prevailed, slaughtering the tyrant, and being hailed as a hero by the other beasts. But, before Deimos let out his last breath, he cursed Phobetor. “There will come a day, when one of your descendants will bear the same cruelty, greed and bloodthirst that I bore. And they shall be a monster, just as you viewed me” is what he said. The people chose the wolf to rule them now, having faith in him. He was a righteous and kind ruler, trying to help all his subjects and bringing peace to the kingdom. But, as all things, his reign ended, without him siring any children, afraid of the lion’s curse. Slowly, he, and the other beasts died out. From their blood, rose a new race, us, humans. From the wolf’s blood, came our royal family, the Azure clan, who helped build Ver, and from the lion’s blood, came the line of vermin that the Azure clan keeps as servants. And our rulers are as just and kind as Phobetor.
I, am the heir to the throne of Ver. Eldest son of Acacios Azure, reigning king of Ver. My parents named me Phobetor, after the wolf, hoping I’d make as great a ruler as he did. Today, is my 17th birthday. And that’s a big one. It’s officially my time to start taking responsibilities. I’m honestly afraid. Afraid I’ll fail, and they’ll understand who I am. The curse, the failure, the misfit, the monster. When I was born, every house in our kingdom celebrated, they called me a blessing, that’s what my father says. That same day, a girl was born in the castle’s lowest chamber. Her father was a lion. Her mother a slave. She was given to me, as a gift of sorts. Her name is Ulhar, and, although she’s viewed as lesser than human, as the monster I am, I think she’s the true gift to the people.
I was five I think, when I first felt it. This, unimaginable hunger. I was desperate and stupid. I killed someone that day. A woman. She took care of me since I was a baby, and I didn’t even hesitate. I was thrilled honestly. I stabbed her in the neck and blood sprayed out, like a waterfall. I stood before it, letting it paint me, and after it stopped, I began. I drank her blood, as much as I could. I can’t explain why, but it was the most wonderful thing I have tasted. Then, I...I bit her. I bit off chunks, as many as I could and swallowed them almost whole. Then Ulh found me. She looked so calm, as if she knew it would happen. She cleaned me, changed my clothes, cleaned the blood, and hid the body in the pigsty. “They’ll think the pigs ate her. And if they asked who killed her, say you don’t know, they won’t question their prince” she told me. She was right. A few days later a new maid came to care for me, and the old one wasn’t mentioned again.